Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Alright, Conor, I Spoke Too Soon
A few weeks ago while driving with Lauren to Westgate Mall for whatever reason, I remember telling her as we weaved through the curvy entrance "I think I'm over Bright Eyes." I'm revoking my previous statement as I was wrong.
I first encounter Conor Oberst in 2000/2001 when my friend Sheli set me an mp3 of "If Winter Ends." I was feeling melodramatically shitty, as teenagers are apt to do, and it completely blew me away. The overly somber song felt like exactly what I needed to hear...and I've always sort of associated Bright Eyes with a depressing atmosphere that he doesn't deserve. Admittedly, Oberst has gone on record at declaring embarrassment for some of his previous work.
That's not to say I've shrugged his work off into one mold, but rather, just something that always positioned itself in the back of my mind.
I've found now, Bright Eyes is more like that book that you really do enjoy, but only it certain amounts when it feels right. And no, I'm not talking about simply being depressed. While sometimes, yeah, I'll admit, listening to some of his tracks is a nice little therapy when feeling down, I'm more talking about feeling quiet, introverted, and introspective.
For me, I think Bright Eyes is more like a fireside chat with that old friend that's just passing through. It's not something I necessarily do very often, but it's very rewarding when the opportunity rises.
As if this small epiphany isn't enough of an indicator, Conor's recently come through for one of these fireside chats and I realize I've somewhat neglected his recent effort. I'll likely load Casadaga back onto my iPod when I get home.
I first encounter Conor Oberst in 2000/2001 when my friend Sheli set me an mp3 of "If Winter Ends." I was feeling melodramatically shitty, as teenagers are apt to do, and it completely blew me away. The overly somber song felt like exactly what I needed to hear...and I've always sort of associated Bright Eyes with a depressing atmosphere that he doesn't deserve. Admittedly, Oberst has gone on record at declaring embarrassment for some of his previous work.
That's not to say I've shrugged his work off into one mold, but rather, just something that always positioned itself in the back of my mind.
I've found now, Bright Eyes is more like that book that you really do enjoy, but only it certain amounts when it feels right. And no, I'm not talking about simply being depressed. While sometimes, yeah, I'll admit, listening to some of his tracks is a nice little therapy when feeling down, I'm more talking about feeling quiet, introverted, and introspective.
For me, I think Bright Eyes is more like a fireside chat with that old friend that's just passing through. It's not something I necessarily do very often, but it's very rewarding when the opportunity rises.
As if this small epiphany isn't enough of an indicator, Conor's recently come through for one of these fireside chats and I realize I've somewhat neglected his recent effort. I'll likely load Casadaga back onto my iPod when I get home.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
Apparently the giraffe fancies himself the dominant animal at the zoo.
I'd also like to take the time to thank the good people and the Herald Journal, who, after nearly 3 years of having me as a freelancer, still cannot spell my fucking name correctly.
I'd also like to take the time to thank the good people and the Herald Journal, who, after nearly 3 years of having me as a freelancer, still cannot spell my fucking name correctly.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
This is the newest shirt design by Busted Tees, which is gloriously and so indirectly offensive that I'm surprised it wasn't T-Shirt Hell that put this out. Good jobs, kids.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
One day, I'll stop finding the existence of things like these funny. Today is not that day.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
I post this merely to make my friends who are champions of all things Nintendo cry
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
"The presidency, yes? We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false! "
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
There's A Fine Line Between Living A Life and Feeling Alive
I'm beginning to suspect that I've become accustomed or complacent to the fact that things continually fail to work out in my favor. My friend Lauren once stated that I was one of the most hopeful people she ever met...and I don't know if that's necessarily true anymore.
I refuse to announce something as cliche as "I've lost all hope" or something equally melodramatic, but rather, I feel like I'm getting more and more numb to things that do or don't happen. Something goes bad and I just sigh and think "Oh well," and just daze off.
This is not necessarily a new occurrence in my head, but it's certainly something that grew. Initially, I thought I was simply dealing with the shit going on around me when, in actuality, the opposite was occurring. I'm not dealing with anything. I'm just simply not acknowledging the existence of anything outside my daily grind, and then slowly reflecting on things while sitting in the dark and listening to music before I got to sleep.
It's been over half a year since I've cried at all. Even a little. I've tried to even make myself because I feel like I'd might feel a little better. And there are times when I've felt my eyes begin to water, then I take a deep breath and it's as if my brain completely switches gears and the feeling disappears without a trace. I don't think this particularly healthy. More like building a dam which is doomed to eventually break and overflow. Won't that be fun.
I just feel like I can't win. Like no matter what I do...I'm defeated. Whether it be shit with one of my four jobs, the void that is my romantic life, or dealing with things relating to my friends and/or family. Sometimes I feel if one of those things would be a bit more positive or show some promise, my outlook would possibly change. And I think this desire to see that change takes over when the possibility presents itself, especially when dealing with things of the romantic nature (or possibility), which makes everything so much worse when it inevitably blows up in my face.
Perhaps I just refuse to flat out admit that I'm unhappy...but I don't think so. More than anything, I believe it's frustration with nothing working out and my inability to understand why things constantly fail to go in my favor.
God I can't stand it when I whine pathetically, but I do it so well I suppose.
I refuse to announce something as cliche as "I've lost all hope" or something equally melodramatic, but rather, I feel like I'm getting more and more numb to things that do or don't happen. Something goes bad and I just sigh and think "Oh well," and just daze off.
This is not necessarily a new occurrence in my head, but it's certainly something that grew. Initially, I thought I was simply dealing with the shit going on around me when, in actuality, the opposite was occurring. I'm not dealing with anything. I'm just simply not acknowledging the existence of anything outside my daily grind, and then slowly reflecting on things while sitting in the dark and listening to music before I got to sleep.
It's been over half a year since I've cried at all. Even a little. I've tried to even make myself because I feel like I'd might feel a little better. And there are times when I've felt my eyes begin to water, then I take a deep breath and it's as if my brain completely switches gears and the feeling disappears without a trace. I don't think this particularly healthy. More like building a dam which is doomed to eventually break and overflow. Won't that be fun.
I just feel like I can't win. Like no matter what I do...I'm defeated. Whether it be shit with one of my four jobs, the void that is my romantic life, or dealing with things relating to my friends and/or family. Sometimes I feel if one of those things would be a bit more positive or show some promise, my outlook would possibly change. And I think this desire to see that change takes over when the possibility presents itself, especially when dealing with things of the romantic nature (or possibility), which makes everything so much worse when it inevitably blows up in my face.
Perhaps I just refuse to flat out admit that I'm unhappy...but I don't think so. More than anything, I believe it's frustration with nothing working out and my inability to understand why things constantly fail to go in my favor.
God I can't stand it when I whine pathetically, but I do it so well I suppose.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Binary Heart Attack!
I'm becoming more and more aware that the internet has, after failing so many times, finally broken my brain.
It's come not at all in the way I expected. It wasn't some image that defied god and any shred of moral sanctity. The internet plays not these games and it is well aware I've become immune to such things. It was much more subtle than one would believe: the internet destroyed my ability to read text messages.
And no, it did not fling some eye AIDS at me that rendered my ability to read cell phone screens null and void.
I try to convey tone as best I can when representing myself in any digital form. Whether I'm excited, sad, or irritated, it's important that I get how I feel across in either the syntax or punctuation because when someone can't hear you, it's monumentally difficult to figure out what the bloody hell someone means.
However, most people (particularly people I just met or don't know very well) I know do not think the same way. They may not realize it, but texting simply to someone who is conscious about these things (and also an English major so it's hard NOT to read into it) makes figuring out what, if anything, someone means all the more difficult.
You see, being short and monosyllabic online in venues such as message boards or even AIM conversations gives off the implication you're irritated, sarcastic, or simply do not want to be bothered.
So when people are like 'Thanks." "Ok." or any other variation over text, it leads me to believe I'm bothering the other person, when in all likelihood, I'm probably not. Unfortunately, my self-conscious nature takes over and strangles me with a lingering insecurity that I am powerless to shake.
Well played, Internets.
But I will have you yet.
It's come not at all in the way I expected. It wasn't some image that defied god and any shred of moral sanctity. The internet plays not these games and it is well aware I've become immune to such things. It was much more subtle than one would believe: the internet destroyed my ability to read text messages.
And no, it did not fling some eye AIDS at me that rendered my ability to read cell phone screens null and void.
I try to convey tone as best I can when representing myself in any digital form. Whether I'm excited, sad, or irritated, it's important that I get how I feel across in either the syntax or punctuation because when someone can't hear you, it's monumentally difficult to figure out what the bloody hell someone means.
However, most people (particularly people I just met or don't know very well) I know do not think the same way. They may not realize it, but texting simply to someone who is conscious about these things (and also an English major so it's hard NOT to read into it) makes figuring out what, if anything, someone means all the more difficult.
You see, being short and monosyllabic online in venues such as message boards or even AIM conversations gives off the implication you're irritated, sarcastic, or simply do not want to be bothered.
So when people are like 'Thanks." "Ok." or any other variation over text, it leads me to believe I'm bothering the other person, when in all likelihood, I'm probably not. Unfortunately, my self-conscious nature takes over and strangles me with a lingering insecurity that I am powerless to shake.
Well played, Internets.
But I will have you yet.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Good Morning, Internets
"Well, it looks like the forecast predicts a long, hard period of moisture, with the chance of possible flurries of the white stuff if the condition holds"
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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